Electric vehicle (EV) sales in Australia reached a record monthly high in August, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) capturing their largest-ever share of the new-car market and surpassing petrol and diesel vehicles in monthly sales, The Driven reported.
According to new data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), 27,089 battery electric vehicles were sold in August, accounting for 24.9% of total new-car sales. The market share surpassed the previous record of 23.5% recorded in June and marked the third consecutive month in which BEVs accounted for more than 20% of the market.
BEV sales also exceeded those of petrol and diesel vehicles during the month. Petrol-powered cars recorded sales of 25,824 units, while diesel vehicles accounted for 23,608 units.
The figures point to a significant shift in Australia’s new-vehicle market, with rising fuel prices and increasing availability of EV models at or near price parity with conventional vehicles supporting consumer adoption.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) accounted for another 10.5% of August vehicle sales, taking the combined share of plug-in vehicles to a record 35.4%.
Conventional hybrid vehicles contributed a further 18.5%, taking the overall share of electrified vehicles to around 54% of Australia’s new-car market in August.
FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said sustained BEV sales, along with changing consumer preferences, were rapidly reshaping the country’s automotive market.
“The sustained level of BEV sales, together with changing brand preferences, shows how quickly consumer choice and competition are reshaping Australia’s new-vehicle market,” Weber said.
The latest figures indicate that electrified vehicles are gaining a significant foothold in Australia, with battery electric, plug-in hybrid and conventional hybrid models collectively accounting for more than half of new vehicle sales during the month.
